August 07, (THEWILL) – Olympique Lyonnais have added to their midfield ranks with the signing of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, the talented 25-year-old Arsenal midfielder, who has finalised a four-year contract with the French club that extends until 2027.
Following the expiration of his contract with Arsenal in June, Maitland-Niles made up his mind to reignite his career on the French stage. Having accumulated more than 130 appearances for his childhood club, Arsenal, Maitland-Niles will be reuniting with former teammate, Alexandre Lacazette, as he embarks on this new chapter.
Amidst Maitland-Niles’ bid for consistent playing time, the midfielder experienced a transitional phase during the 2021/2022 season at Arsenal, which prompted temporary stints on loan to AS Roma and Southampton. His international journey commenced in 2020 when he earned his England debut, participating in five matches that year. However, he has not graced the pitch for Gareth Southgate’s squad since then.
As Lyon’s latest recruit, Maitland-Niles will be seeking to recapture his form and contribute to the club’s resurgence after their seventh-place finish in the previous Ligue 1 campaign. Lyon’s strategic move to secure Ainsley Maitland-Niles comes from the necessity to reinforce their midfield options and elevate their competitive stature. The English midfielder’s journey from Arsenal to Lyon, in tandem with his reunion with Lacazette, underscores the global nature of modern football, where talents transcend borders in pursuit of success.
As Maitland-Niles looks ahead to the challenges and opportunities that await, Lyon anticipate a revitalised presence in the forthcoming Ligue 1 season, leveraging the midfielder’s talents to strive for a higher standing in Ligue 1.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
